Wolf Warrior (The Mórrigan's Wolf, Part 2) The Last Kingdom Fanfiction

6 - Reconnecting

"So Alfred banished Uhtred from Winchester?" Faoladhean's eyes widened.

Finan chuckled softly. "He did, but I do not think it will last long, given how much he reluctantly relies on Uhtred. I am willing to bet that by the time we siege Lunden, the banishment will be lifted."

Faoladhean nodded as she processed his words, her gaze on the fire in the hearth. "So it is happening." She said quietly, then raised her greenish-gray eyes to meet his deep brown ones. "Do we know yet when the siege will take place?"

"Not yet, but I assume we will receive word in advance. We are waiting on the Mercian fyrd to assemble, and Alfred has pledged a thousand men of Wessex. It will be a fortnight, at least, and then travel time to Lunden."

Inhaling a deep breath, Faoladhean held it for a moment, then puffed it out forcefully. "I suppose I will have to take up Gisela's offer of finding a wet nurse for Aodhán."

Finan tried to keep the surprise from his face, allowing an eyebrow to lift. "You plan on joining us then?"

She nodded as she looked down at Aodhán, who had fallen asleep at her breast. "I do." She looked back up at Finan and smirked slightly. "I swore to be your shield, did I noe? Though The Mórrigan has told me that neither of us will fall in battle, so long as I honor Her when blood is spilled."

"Ya had another Dream?" This time, the surprise was plain as day on his face. As Faoladhean nodded, Finan frowned slightly.

"Back in Winchester, while you and Uhtred were off to the skald's hall. I meant to tell ye after ye returned, but time and circumstance did noe allow for it."

Finan rubbed his face and sat quietly for a moment. "What happened in the Dream? What else did She tell ya?"

Faoladhean related the events of the dream to him, from the visions of the Thurgilsons and their ships, to the attack on the camp with Thyra and the mystery woman. "Ye remember how, during the royal wedding, I had told ye I would tell ye about the Dream later?"

His frown deepening, Finan nodded. "I do recall that now. I'm sorry things have been so hectic since then. What was it that happened at the wedding?"

Faoladhean shifted in her seat, shifting Aodhán in her lap so she could pull her tunic back in place. "I think the other woman in the Dream may have been Alfred's daughter."

"Hm," Finan said, his gaze drifting to the fire as he absorbed everything he had heard.

"What are ye thinking, love?" Faoladhean asked him softly.

"I just wonder about this attack you saw. Why would Aethelflaed be there? And why would anyone attack a camp full of women?"

"I wish I knew. But I feel it is important that I am there, wherever it will be."

Finan looked at her, his brows pulled low over his eyes. "I do not like the idea of you being left with a handful of fyrdsmen and defenseless women to suffer an attack."

"Finan, love," she reached over the table and placed her hand on his larger one, her fingers cool against his warm palm. "The Mórrigan said we will noe die in battle, so long as I honor Her and teach our children to do the same. Whatever happens, I will be safe. Though I truly believe She would noe have shown me if it was noe important that I am there."

He sighed loudly, then squeezed her hand as his frown relaxed some. "No, I suppose not. It doesn't mean I have to like it, though." Finan lowered his gaze from Faoladhean to Aodhán, his eyes lingering there as he leaned forward to brush his free hand over their son's dark head. "Are ya sure you will be able to focus on everything while missing our wee man here?" He looked back at Faoladhean and squeezed her hand again.